Yeah, #2 probably is okay but, I would hope that wouldn't be a lie. I know you love your kids differently but I would hope a parent wouldn't have a "favorite."I would hope that when a parent said it, it wasn't a lie.

#5 is a particular pet peeve of mine. I don't want to get into the whole tell kids about Santa or not debate because I don't really have strong feelings about that either way. I DO however have strong feelings about the meaning of Christmas and the spirit of giving. I think threatening your kids with no Christmas presents if they are "bad" sends a horrible message. It's not at all what I want to teach my kids about Christmas.

As far as #8, I can see people not wanting to hurt their kids feelings but, I still wouldn't lie about it. My kid makes me macaroni jewelry you bet I AM wearing it to work. Proudly.

Yeah, #2 probably is okay but, I would hope that wouldn't be a lie. I know you love your kids differently but I would hope a parent wouldn't have a "favorite."I would hope that when a parent said it, it wasn't a lie.

#5 is a particular pet peeve of mine. I don't want to get into the whole tell kids about Santa or not debate because I don't really have strong feelings about that either way. I DO however have strong feelings about the meaning of Christmas and the spirit of giving. I think threatening your kids with no Christmas presents if they are "bad" sends a horrible message. It's not at all what I want to teach my kids about Christmas.

As far as #8, I can see people not wanting to hurt their kids feelings but, I still wouldn't lie about it. My kid makes me macaroni jewelry you bet I AM wearing it to work. Proudly.

I don't lie to my child. Granted, he's just a toddler but, I don't see a lot of situations coming up where lying would be the right thing to do. In fact, the list of 10 things the folks at Parent dish lie about really ticked me off. Pretty much all of them came down to lazy parenting and the desire for an easy out was more important to them than maintaining morality or doing what they KNOW is right and what they are going to try and tell their children is right.

I'd be temped by #6 but, in the end I would still be honest about the CD. I would just tell my child I can not stand to listen to it one more time, he's welcome to listen to it in his room wen we get home but, we're listening to something else in the car this time. Might he throw a fit? Sure but even that would be a learning experience, things don't always go your way and sometimes with other people you need to compromise.

I don't lie to my child. Granted, he's just a toddler but, I don't see a lot of situations coming up where lying would be the right thing to do. In fact, the list of 10 things the folks at Parent dish lie about really ticked me off. Pretty much all of them came down to lazy parenting and the desire for an easy out was more important to them than maintaining morality or doing what they KNOW is right and what they are going to try and tell their children is right.

I'd be temped by #6 but, in the end I would still be honest about the CD. I would just tell my child I can not stand to listen to it one more time, he's welcome to listen to it in his room wen we get home but, we're listening to something else in the car this time. Might he throw a fit? Sure but even that would be a learning experience, things don't always go your way and sometimes with other people you need to compromise.

Ok, we do the whole Santa Claus thing (but I blame that on my husband...if it were me, I wouldn't do it). And we do the tooth fairy thing...but I'M the tooth fairy, so I'm not really lying! I DO come into her room and take her tooth and replace it with goodies!

Ok, we do the whole Santa Claus thing (but I blame that on my husband...if it were me, I wouldn't do it). And we do the tooth fairy thing...but I'M the tooth fairy, so I'm not really lying! I DO come into her room and take her tooth and replace it with goodies!

1. I always paid attention in school. 2. There's no such thing as a favorite child. All of you are my favorites.3. Sorry, the playground is closed today.4. Cuddles the Hamster went to live on a nice farm. Yes, the same one where your goldfish went.5. I have Santa Claus's cell phone number on speed dial. Do you want me to tell him how you're acting?6. Whoops, the KidzBop CD is in Dad's car and he already left for work.7. "SpongeBob" isn't on this week. And the DVD player is broken. And the cable is out.8. Of course I wore to work today the macaroni necklace and bracelet you made me.9. Daddy is allergic to cats/dogs/birds/reptiles.10. I never took drugs.

I agree that some of these things are probably said out of laziness as a pp said. I think #2, 4,5, and 8 are ok to lie about, until you reach the age where children understand things better. Actually, for all time I think I parent should maintain that they don't have a favorite child. My MIL still says she doesn't, and we know who she favors, but it's not a big deal. Each child should feel special, and if they are told a parent likes another child better, that is just hurtful in my opinion. I wish when I was little that my parents would have told me that my animals went to a nice farm! I'm way too sensitve about animals dying, maybe they scared me with the honesty! Number 5 is hilarious, and I'm sure it may very well work. As far as projects kids make, I just think it would hurt a little kids' feelings if you told them "it didn't match my outfit" or "it's not work appropriate", but later on in life, I'm think kids would catch on somewhat. If my child asks me if I've ever done drugs, before she's 16, I may very well lie. I don't want her to get the impression that because I've done it, she can do it too. But, my husband and I are planning on openness on various topics once our children turn 17/18 ish.

For my own sake, here's the ten things parents lie about.

1. I always paid attention in school. 2. There's no such thing as a favorite child. All of you are my favorites.3. Sorry, the playground is closed today.4. Cuddles the Hamster went to live on a nice farm. Yes, the same one where your goldfish went.5. I have Santa Claus's cell phone number on speed dial. Do you want me to tell him how you're acting?6. Whoops, the KidzBop CD is in Dad's car and he already left for work.7. "SpongeBob" isn't on this week. And the DVD player is broken. And the cable is out.8. Of course I wore to work today the macaroni necklace and bracelet you made me.9. Daddy is allergic to cats/dogs/birds/reptiles.10. I never took drugs.

I agree that some of these things are probably said out of laziness as a pp said. I think #2, 4,5, and 8 are ok to lie about, until you reach the age where children understand things better. Actually, for all time I think I parent should maintain that they don't have a favorite child. My MIL still says she doesn't, and we know who she favors, but it's not a big deal. Each child should feel special, and if they are told a parent likes another child better, that is just hurtful in my opinion. I wish when I was little that my parents would have told me that my animals went to a nice farm! I'm way too sensitve about animals dying, maybe they scared me with the honesty! Number 5 is hilarious, and I'm sure it may very well work. As far as projects kids make, I just think it would hurt a little kids' feelings if you told them "it didn't match my outfit" or "it's not work appropriate", but later on in life, I'm think kids would catch on somewhat. If my child asks me if I've ever done drugs, before she's 16, I may very well lie. I don't want her to get the impression that because I've done it, she can do it too. But, my husband and I are planning on openness on various topics once our children turn 17/18 ish.

THAT"S SO MEAN! Why would you ever tell them that!? I know you don't want them to be sad, but they are going to be 10x as upset when they figure out that not only did daddy die but mommy lied about it!

THAT"S SO MEAN! Why would you ever tell them that!? I know you don't want them to be sad, but they are going to be 10x as upset when they figure out that not only did daddy die but mommy lied about it!

I agree with your intention, that you don't want to teach your children to behave well so that they get presents, because no, that's not what holidays are about. However, I do believe that at a young enough age, you can't really teach them what the holidays are truly about, because they are young enough to get over-excited about possessions (i.e. TOYS) . Even if you keep telling a kid that christmas isn't about presents, that it's about spending time with family, or whatever good moral thing you want to insert, they still know they will be getting presents. And it excites them. Plus, its just a funny threat to me. I think teaching kids about the importance and meaning of holidays is just going to be one of those things that is going to be continually reinforced, so even saying that threat, maybe 2 or 3 times in one holiday season, isn't going to screw up a kid. But I'd only do it from age 2/3-3/4ish.

I agree with your intention, that you don't want to teach your children to behave well so that they get presents, because no, that's not what holidays are about. However, I do believe that at a young enough age, you can't really teach them what the holidays are truly about, because they are young enough to get over-excited about possessions (i.e. TOYS) . Even if you keep telling a kid that christmas isn't about presents, that it's about spending time with family, or whatever good moral thing you want to insert, they still know they will be getting presents. And it excites them. Plus, its just a funny threat to me. I think teaching kids about the importance and meaning of holidays is just going to be one of those things that is going to be continually reinforced, so even saying that threat, maybe 2 or 3 times in one holiday season, isn't going to screw up a kid. But I'd only do it from age 2/3-3/4ish.

LOL. I guess I just lied to Mia, had her conference today and she needs to work on the quality of her story writing. I told her if she writes more detailed stories, then we can print them into books and deliver them to the children of the world.

LOL she said the last part, and I just went with it. Lying, maybe, but it should get the job done.

LOL. I guess I just lied to Mia, had her conference today and she needs to work on the quality of her story writing. I told her if she writes more detailed stories, then we can print them into books and deliver them to the children of the world.

LOL she said the last part, and I just went with it. Lying, maybe, but it should get the job done.

1. I always paid attention in school. Ummm no...better to tell them of the things that happened to you BECAUSE you weren't paying attention.

2. There's no such thing as a favorite child. All of you are my favorites. All of them are my favorites...each for different reasons.

3. Sorry, the playground is closed today. Why doesn't "No" work?

4. Cuddles the Hamster went to live on a nice farm. Death is a fact of life...it sucks, but the sooner they learn it, the better off they are IMO.

5. I have Santa Claus's cell phone number on speed dial. Do you want me to tell him how you're acting? We are so guilty of this...but like I said, it's ALL DH's fault. I'm not a big fan of the whole Santa Claus thing.

6. Whoops, the KidzBop CD is in Dad's car and he already left for work. Peyton LOVES her KidzBop CD! But she knows that she has to share. Sometimes she gets to listen to it, sometimes she doesn't. When I said no, she needs to get over it.

7. "SpongeBob" isn't on this week. And the DVD player is broken. And the cable is out. Again...why is "No" wrong in this situation?

8. Of course I wore to work today the macaroni necklace and bracelet you made me. I've worn some of the craziest things and put some of the most attractive pictures on my wall...I wouldn't lie, I would actually wear it.

9. Daddy is allergic to cats/dogs/birds/reptiles. "No, we're not getting an animal because I don't have time to take care of it, and I know you won't"...that's a good enough explanation.

10. I never took drugs. Sorry...I am ALL ABOUT teaching my children by example. Don't be naeive enough to think that just because you tell your children that YOU didn't do drugs, that they won't either. They'll be more likely to learn from your mistakes if you'd be open and up front with them about it.

1. I always paid attention in school. Ummm no...better to tell them of the things that happened to you BECAUSE you weren't paying attention.

2. There's no such thing as a favorite child. All of you are my favorites. All of them are my favorites...each for different reasons.

3. Sorry, the playground is closed today. Why doesn't "No" work?

4. Cuddles the Hamster went to live on a nice farm. Death is a fact of life...it sucks, but the sooner they learn it, the better off they are IMO.

5. I have Santa Claus's cell phone number on speed dial. Do you want me to tell him how you're acting? We are so guilty of this...but like I said, it's ALL DH's fault. I'm not a big fan of the whole Santa Claus thing.

6. Whoops, the KidzBop CD is in Dad's car and he already left for work. Peyton LOVES her KidzBop CD! But she knows that she has to share. Sometimes she gets to listen to it, sometimes she doesn't. When I said no, she needs to get over it.

7. "SpongeBob" isn't on this week. And the DVD player is broken. And the cable is out. Again...why is "No" wrong in this situation?

8. Of course I wore to work today the macaroni necklace and bracelet you made me. I've worn some of the craziest things and put some of the most attractive pictures on my wall...I wouldn't lie, I would actually wear it.

9. Daddy is allergic to cats/dogs/birds/reptiles. "No, we're not getting an animal because I don't have time to take care of it, and I know you won't"...that's a good enough explanation.

10. I never took drugs. Sorry...I am ALL ABOUT teaching my children by example. Don't be naeive enough to think that just because you tell your children that YOU didn't do drugs, that they won't either. They'll be more likely to learn from your mistakes if you'd be open and up front with them about it.

You're right, little kids don't really get the whole spirit of the season thing. Eventually they will though so that's what I want to enforce from the get go (even though I stipulate it WILL be lost on my son for the next several years). So, I see what you're saying about no harm at this point, I just couldn't bring myself to tell my child something that I know isn't true and goes completely against my personal values.

I'm definitely not trying to say it will screw up anyone's kid :) Just that it isn't the route we're going.

Now all this "calling" Santa talk has me wondering, can we follow Santa on twitter yet? How funny would that be? Like the NORAD track Santa that they do every year.

You're right, little kids don't really get the whole spirit of the season thing. Eventually they will though so that's what I want to enforce from the get go (even though I stipulate it WILL be lost on my son for the next several years). So, I see what you're saying about no harm at this point, I just couldn't bring myself to tell my child something that I know isn't true and goes completely against my personal values.

I'm definitely not trying to say it will screw up anyone's kid :) Just that it isn't the route we're going.

Now all this "calling" Santa talk has me wondering, can we follow Santa on twitter yet? How funny would that be? Like the NORAD track Santa that they do every year.

My DH is from a large family, he's the youngest of ten and his oldest siblings are a lot older than him (his oldest sister is older than my mom by a year). Anyway, when my DH was five, his father died of skin cancer. So how did his family deal with it? They told DH and his older brother, who was six at the time, that their dad was in France (where he often spent a lot of time for business)...and they kept on telling them that that is where he was. Finally, my BIL figures out what has happened and tells my DH (about a year later) that their father has died. A six year old has to tell a five year old that they've been lied to all of this time and their father isn't coming home.

So, you can imagine that my DH has an aversion to lying to his kids about pretty much anything. The biggest issue for us is Santa - who is a big deal in my family - and It doesn't help that DH doesn't celebrate Christmas. I keep trying to convince him that he just doesn't have to say anything about Santa, and if she asks him, to tell her to talk to me lol. We won't do the Easter Bunny (though she'll get a basket) and I don't care about the Tooth Fairy, but Santa is the one thing I want her to be able to believe in. So, we're working on finding a happy medium lol.

I have a crazy story about lying to your kids.

My DH is from a large family, he's the youngest of ten and his oldest siblings are a lot older than him (his oldest sister is older than my mom by a year). Anyway, when my DH was five, his father died of skin cancer. So how did his family deal with it? They told DH and his older brother, who was six at the time, that their dad was in France (where he often spent a lot of time for business)...and they kept on telling them that that is where he was. Finally, my BIL figures out what has happened and tells my DH (about a year later) that their father has died. A six year old has to tell a five year old that they've been lied to all of this time and their father isn't coming home.

So, you can imagine that my DH has an aversion to lying to his kids about pretty much anything. The biggest issue for us is Santa - who is a big deal in my family - and It doesn't help that DH doesn't celebrate Christmas. I keep trying to convince him that he just doesn't have to say anything about Santa, and if she asks him, to tell her to talk to me lol. We won't do the Easter Bunny (though she'll get a basket) and I don't care about the Tooth Fairy, but Santa is the one thing I want her to be able to believe in. So, we're working on finding a happy medium lol.

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